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Gotu kola and strength and power output: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: Benefit.

C LimitedSingle research groupShort-term only

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: One RCT under 100 participants, positive on one of three physical tests, older adults only

In a 90-day double-blind trial of 80 healthy older adults, mostly women, 500 and 750 mg a day of a water extract improved the 30-second chair stand test after 2 months. The paper's results table marks the 2-month gains as significant against both baseline and placebo, and hand grip and the 6-minute walk did not improve. The gains disappeared 1 month after stopping. It is a single trial from one university group, so C.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)201020152020Meta-analysisRCTMato 2011, 2011: RCT, n = 80, result not recordedPuttarak 2017, 2017: meta-analysis, n not recorded, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Mato 20112011RCT80result not recorded
Puttarak 20172017meta-analysisnot recordedresult not recorded

Centella asiatica Improves Physical Performance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Elderly Volunteer.

Mato L, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S. Centella asiatica Improves Physical Performance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Elderly Volunteer Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2011. PMID 19880441

Result not recorded
Design
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 90 days
Sample
n = 80
Population
Healthy older adults (Thailand)
Funding
Khon Kaen University research groups (as stated in the paper)

Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Puttarak P, Dilokthornsakul P, Saokaew S. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Sci Rep, 2017. PMID 28878245

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (5 of C. asiatica alone, 6 of combination products)
Population
Mostly healthy volunteers (91% of studies); one trial in children with a diagnosis
Funding
Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Fund

Search and history

Search (): (TITLE:"centella asiatica" OR TITLE:"gotu kola") AND (ABSTRACT:"physical performance" OR ABSTRACT:strength) AND (ABSTRACT:placebo)

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page